Submitting and Resisting

   Have you ever felt like you were at war with yourself? You wanted to do something but you knew it was wrong or something told you, you shouldn't do it? That may be your conscious telling you not to do something because you know it's wrong. But, who or what is telling you to do the wrong thing?

   You may picture an angel on one shoulder and the devil on another shoulder. Let me give you another example. In The Lord of the Rings series there is a character named Gollum. This character has a very interesting story and may have what some people would call Dissociative Identity Disorder. In other words it seems like he has two personalities. One of them is Gollum, who is obsessed with the ring. The other is Smeagol, who is a hobbit from the Shire.

   In a particular clip from the movie Gollum is having an argument with Smeagol. Check out the clip here then continue to read the blog.

   In the clip Gollum is having problems because part of his personality is bringing him down. While is is true that Gollum probably wouldn't be there at that point without the ring, Smeagol is tired of being told what to do. He is tired of being reminded of all the wrong things he has done. He tells the Gollum part of him to leave and never come back.

   James 4:7 says: "submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." While we may not have two personalities like Gollum does, we do all have times where we feel like there are two voices telling us what to do. At that point we have a choice. If we choose the Devil, we may feel happiness on earth but will we actually have true, permanent happiness? More than likely we will not.

   If we choose to follow God we may not be happy when we are on earth but we know that our heavenly Father is looking down and smiling. Life on earth sure isn't easy but we aren't here to live life to the fullest for ourselves. We are here to reflect God's glory, worship him, and tell others about him. If we chose the Devil then we turn our backs on God. In turn, he will turn his back on us when we get to heaven.

   Please do not misunderstand me here; I am not saying that God doesn't love you if you make a wrong choice. He still loves you, but when judgement day comes will you be able to say with confidence that you are going to heaven? Matthew 7:21-23 talks about how a lot of people call Jesus Lord but only those who do the will of the Father will enter heaven. We have a choice whether or not we will believe in Christ and follow him or not.

   So, will you resist the Devil? Will you lean on God through the good and the bad? Will you choose to accept Christ as your Lord and Savior?

   James 4:7, Matthew 7:21-23, Proverbs 3:5-6, 1 Corinthians 10:31

Verses of Thanksgiving

 The Bible is filled with verses that remind us to be thankful for many things. However, I think we sometimes forget these verses on a day to day basis. On this Thanksgiving Day I think we need a reminder of what or who we should be thankful for each day.

FOR OUR GIFTS: "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change." James 1:7

FOR PRAYER: "Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful." Colossians 4:2

FOR PEACE AND THE BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CHRIST: "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful." Colossians 3:15

FOR YOUR SALVATION IN CHRIST: "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God" Ephesians 2:8

FOR THE KINGDOM OF GOD: "Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire.” Hebrews 12:28-29

TO THE LORD: "Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!" Psalm 107:1

FOR GOD'S RIGHTEOUSNESS (we should praise him): "I will give thanks to the LORD because of his righteousness; I will sing the praises of the name of the LORD Most High." Psalm 7:17

FOR GODS STRENGTH (we should praise him): "The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him." Psalm 28:7

FOR GOD'S LOVE (we should praise him): "Praise the LORD.Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever." Psalm 106:1

THANKFUL IN ALL THINGS: "Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Who Do YOU Say Jesus Is?: Jesus Series Conclusion

   This concludes my series on the Enigma that is Jesus. At the beginning of the series, I talked about how people call Jesus a lot of different things. Many people don't understand Jesus. We learned that this is a good thing because he is God. If we can understand our God and why he does everything he does, then he wouldn't be worthy of worship.

   We talked about many things that Jesus said that were confusing, or difficult for us to follow. Jesus was showing us how we are to walk with him and like him by teaching us through his word. Jesus said many confusing things and things we don't like because they are hard for us to do. If following Jesus was easy he wouldn't have said:  “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it" (Mat.7.13-14). Following Jesus isn't easy but it is worth it to have someone who loves us enough to die for us.

   But, that's what I think of Jesus. The point of this series was to try to explain why Jesus said what he said. In no way did I totally discuss everything Jesus said or did. And, I don't understand everything he said or did still. But, it doesn't matter what I think about Christ to you. It matters to me what I think about him; because I know I'm saved through him. What matters is what you think about him.

   In Matthew 16:13-20 we find the story of Jesus asking his disciples, "who do people say the Son of Man is?" The disciples throw out a few names like Elijah or the prophets. Then Jesus asks: "who do you say I am?"

   This is the question that matters to you today. Think back to all the things Jesus said that may have been confusing. None of those things matter unless you answer this question in the right way. If you are not a follower of Jesus and you still think that Jesus is a liar or a lunatic. Then you still need to do some research to discover who Jesus really is. Or, you may never accept him. I can tell you right now, if you are in this place, Jesus is agonizing over you. He loves you with all of his heart. You may not understand him and that's okay because none of us will truly understand him, because he is God.  But, he wants to be with you. He loves you enough to die for you so you could be with him.

   I encourage you to not delay. Look more into this and make a decision quickly. Matthew 24:42 says: "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come." Jesus is coming back for those who trust him as their savior. He will come in the blink of an eye. And, if you have ever read Revelation or the Left Behind Series you know, you will not want to be left behind.

   However, if you say that Jesus is the Son of God, as Simon Peter did in Matthew 16:16, I encourage you to choose to follow him today. Ask Jesus to wash you clean as snow, believe in him as your personal savior, and confess your sins. Do it because you realize you cannot go through this life without him. Do it because you want to keep growing in your knowledge and relationship with him. Do it because he loves you so much and wants to be with you forever.

   If you already know Christ as your savior, I encourage you to keep growing in him. Abide with him each day. Read his word. Pray about your blessings and problems you have. Trust that he loves and cares for you. Above all else, do not give up hope. He loves us and he is coming back for us some day. Until then, follow him because he is our only hope.

   So, who do you say Jesus is?

   Image from here.

Love Your Enemies: Jesus Series

   Matthew 5:44 "Love your enemies and pray for this who persecute you."

   This is probably one of the most difficult things for humans to understand that Jesus said. Maybe it's not difficult for us to understand it; it's a bit more difficult for us to follow it. Jesus ends the Sermon on the Mount with this idea. A most difficult idea indeed.

   People back then had this idea that they were to hate their enemies. It semi made sense because God had the Israelites destroy almost anyone who was in their land so that they would not be tempted to sin. However, the Israelites forgot that God also promised, through Abraham, that God would bless all nations through them (Gen.12.3). The Israelites were God's chosen people but that doesn't mean that God doesn't love everyone else. If Jesus only died for the Jews many of us would end up in Hell.

   No, the Israelites were to show God's love to other nations. But they also showed that it's impossible to follow the law all the time. They needed atonement as well because they sinned.

Now we have Jesus saying we are to love our enemies and pray for them. Jesus loved those who railed against him. He died for Pilate, who sentenced him to death. He died for the Pharisees, who tried to get him in trouble many times. He died for the Roman soldiers, who nailed him to the cross. He died for Peter, Judas, and all the other disciples who betrayed him. He died for Saul, who persecuted his followers. He died for me, for you, and for everyone.

   Jesus so loved the world that he died for us so that we can be with him. We were enemies of Christ because we nailed him to the cross with our sins. Yet, he showed us the greatest love by laying down his life (John.15.13). If Jesus can show that kind of love, why can't we?

   So, do you show love to others? Do you love those who are mean to you? How can you show Christ's love today?

   Image from here.

Let Go: Jesus Series

   John 12:25 "To hang on to your life is to lose it. To let go of your life is to save it."

   This is probably one of the most confusing things Jesus said. But, in looking at the context, it makes sense. From John 12:20-36 Jesus is predicting his death yet another time.

He started out by telling another parable about a kernel of wheat. He says that if the kernel doesn't fall to the ground and die it is one seed. If it does die it produces many seeds (v. 24). Then Jesus says today's verse.

   If Jesus would not have died then we would not have eternal life. He had to be the sacrificial lamb to die for all of our sins, not just the Israelites. Jesus is the ultimate example of everything we hope to be/have. That's where this verse comes into play.

   I have found there is a series of books by Ted DeKker that explains this really well. The series is called The Circle Trilogy. In the series it emulates what we go through on earth and in our spiritual walk. However, how these people come to Christ is a little different. They have to drown. Yes, they must jump into a red pool, give up their life, and drown. When they do this, they wake up in the presence of God. God tells the person that he loves him/her. Then the person goes up above the surface alive in God.

   In this series the person literally has to give up their life to be saved. In our lives we don't have to do anything so drastic to become a believer. However, we do need to deny ourselves. We need to choose to say yes to Jesus and no to ourselves. We need to admit we are a sinner, then we can have eternal life.

   As Christians though, we must realize that there is a chance that we will be persecuted. Some Christians die because of their faith in Jesus. That's another part of what Jesus is talking about here. Jesus gave up his life for us. If we give up our life for Jesus, or for others, we are following his example. Others may see our example and come to faith. Others may see our example and realize they need to grow closer with Christ. Others may see our example and wonder why we did that.

   We must remember that everything on this earth is temporary. If we give up our lives here we will have eternal life with Jesus, if we know him as our savior.

   So, do you understand why Jesus had to die for us? Do you realize that the things of this earth are temporary? Would you be willing to give up your earthly life for Jesus?

   Image from here.